Quick-firing machine-gun.



T. F. CALDWELL.

QUIOK FIBING MAOHINE GUN. APPLIOATION FILED 5.1m.v 21, 1era.

vl SHEETS-SHEET 1.

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T. F. CALDWELL. QUIox mme MAGHINE GUN.` APPLICATION FILED 116.21. 1913.

.1,0901 24, Patented Mar. 10, 1914 5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

T. F. CALDWELL.

QUICK FIBING MACHINE GUN.

APPLICATION FILED 11116.21. 191s.

Patented Mar. 10, 1914. L

T. F. CALDWELL.

QUICK mma MACHINE GUN.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 21, 19-13. 1990,12@s Patented Mar. 10,1914.

T. F. CALDWELL. QUICK FIRING MACHINE GUN.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 21, 1913. 1,090,124. l Patented Mar. 10, 1914.

s sums-SHEET e.

To all lwhom 'it may conc-ern UNITED STATES PATE T loFEicE.

THOMAS FREDERICK CALDWELL, OF RICHMOND, VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA. y

QUICK-Frame MACHINE-GUN.

Application led August 21, 1913. Serial'No. 786,036.

Ito suit any particular requirements or .emergencles Moreover, a machine gun constructed according to the invention will consist' of comparatively few parts, the more essential of which can be readily adjusted to compensate for general wear, and maybe renewed with very little trouble. Furthermore, every part of the mechanism is practically' self-cleanljecting barrels of like construction.

ing, and, therefore, will not be injured n'or caused to jain-should the gun be operated during a sand-storm or be subjected to similar unfavorable conditions.

One of the salient features of thepres'ent invention\ is itsA reliability in operation, every provision having been made to counteract the stresses incident to the type of weapon to which it relates, and to pro- `vide means for e'ecting afree working of all its parts.

The invention, briefly, consists of a body,

which is 'provided with two forwardly jrlilibarrels are of ordinary machine gun pattern,

,of a cooling medium therearound.

'breech ends 0f the barrels screw into blocks and may be jaeketed and provided with.

means for effecting a continuous circulation The formed on the front end of a stout body, upon both sides of which .are situated independent mechanisms for feeding and tiring cartridges and forv extracting and ejecting the cartridge cases. The operating mechanisms on both sides of the body are identical, and can be made to operate alternately or simultaneously to fire the cartridges from one or both barrels, respectively. The operative parts of the mechanisms can be very strongly constructed, and can be taken apart easily, and put together without the aid of special tools. The gun frame can be mount- Speciiication of Letters Patent.

described.

(2) of machine gun pattern. rearwardly from the body/(1), and formed :Patented Mal-.10,1914.

V .ed on a tripod or in any other approved way, and the elevation and depression of the barrels can be adjusted by means of a screw operated by a hand wheel or otherv suitable contrivance. A

In order that 4the invention may be readily understood, reference will now be had to the accompanying sheets. of explanatory drawings, wherein- 'Figure 1 is a view inperspective ofthe improved machine gun. Fig. 2 is a, View similar to Fig. 1, showing part of the cover and one magazine removed to show-.part of the mechanism. Fig. 3 1s a view in perspective of the mechanism on one slde of the gun, showing the breech action closed and a partly emptied magazine position. Fig.

4 is a view similar to Fig. 3, and shows the i breech action partly open. Fig. 5 illustrates in perspective the operative parts lof the gun, with the breech mechanism open, and l viewed from the opposite side to that shownin Figs. 3 and 4. Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. showing the breech mechanism at the commencement of its closing movement.

Fig. 7 is a view in perspective; showing the breech mechanism nearly closed. FigJ'S is -a view in plan of both breech mechanisms,

one side being open vand the 'other closed. Figs. 9- to 26 illustrate various constructional details of the invention hereinafter In these drawings like characters of reference lhave been employed to indicate similar parts in the different views, and the numeral (l) designates the gun body, to the front` of which is screwed a pair of barrels integrally therewith, is a vertical plate '(3), on both sides of which are mounted breech mechanisms of similar construction for feeding cartridges from the magazines to, and extracting shells from, the barrels.

The barrels (2) can be provided with a water-jacket ,(4), having an opening covered by a screw-cap (5) for permitting water or other cooling medium to be supplied thereto, and an outlet covered by a screw-cap (6), or the like for permitting the said'jacketfto be drained. The barrels (2)l can be arrangedto reciprocate in glands (7) .and (8), at the front and rear ends respectively of the l water-jacket.

circular magazine is revolubly Extending mounted on laterally-projecting bosses formed on each side of the water-jacket.l

formed on the outer ends of the bosses (1U)` to keep .the magazines in position thereon,

or the said maga-zines can -be retained i position 'by other suitable means. A 'lhe magazines are provided with a plurality of radially-disposed spring clips 11 which are adapted to hold cartridges 12 with their rims projecting outwardly as shown. The center of the outer face'of the :magazine is formed with a concentricallydisposed collar or raised portion (91), against which the points of the bullets of the cartridges are arranged to abut, and so determine their correct positions in the clips (11). The cartridges are thrust into the clips (11), and when the points of the bullets abut against the raised portion (91), the bases of the cartridges project somewhat beyond the'edge of the magazine. The magazines are rotatedby means of arms- (13), which are connected, hingedly, at their in- .ner ends to spindles (14) passing centrally through the bosses (10). The said s indles are acted upon by clock springs (15), avng one `of their ends engaging studs '(161)' on the spindles, and their other end a xed to the inner peripheries of the bosses (10). The inner ends of the spindles are adapted to bear on center pins (17), while their' outer ends are' mounted-:in holes formed centrally in plugs or nuts (18.) screwed into the outer ends of the bosses.

The charged magazines (9)' are placed on their respective bosses (10), andthe arms (13) are rotated to place an approved tension .on the springs (15), after which the outer ends of the said arms are placed in engagement with jaws (19) formed on the outer faces of the magazines. The pressure of the arms in fthe jaws 19) causes the magazines to be -rotated until that portion of the first cartridge extending beyond the edges of the magazines rests in jaws (92) projecting laterally from the sides of the body. As the cartridges are withdrawn- I freely in guide-ways (201), and on guide rods 21) to and from the barrels and-par allel t erewith. If preferred, the guide rods (21)V can be' dispensed with and theguide ways (201g shaped to old the blocks (20) quite firmly at any point in their travel. The said blocks can be made larger and be- (20') are connected by links (22) to the inner ends of rocking levers (23), mounted on studs (24) projecting laterally lfrom the rear end of the vertical plate (3).

.The outer ends of the rocking levers (23)" are connected by links (25) to studs (26) formed ecceiitrically on arms (27) disposed radially on pinions (28) mounted on studs (29) on the vertical plate (3). The teeth of the pinions (28) mesh with the teeth of wheels (30) of larger diameter, which are securedto opposite sides of a depending portion of the rear end 'of the vertical plate- (3) in an approved way.

The wheels (30) ai'e'furnished with laterally projecting collars (31), which find bearingsjn brackets (32) fitted to'said plate (3).'

A spindle (321) passes transversely through the wheels (30) and plate' (3), and is pro vided on one end with a cranked operating handle (33) of referred construction.

The breech bldcks (20) are formed with longitudinally disposed bosses or sleeves (34) having their center li'nes disposed centrally' between the center lines'of the barrels and those of the cartridges in the ma zines. The iide rods (21) pass centra ly through the osses or sleeves (34), and fitting revolubly within' saidsleeves and on the rods are bolts (35) having enlarged front ends formed into oppositely disposed segmental V'shaped and concentrically disposed gripping members (36). The adjacent concentric faces of the grippingmembers (36) on each bolt (35) are formed with undercut recesses (37) and (38) for engaging the rims of the cartrid sl Each segmental shaped gripping mem r (36) irs provided with a curved flat spring (39), which is formed and disposed in such a way as to insure a good fric'tional grip bein maintained on the rim of a cartridge. e

id springs (39) are formed with projecng.

portions (40), which can be 'passed through holes (41) in the sides of thegripping members and bent over or itte'dvwith angularly shaped pieces (401) to retain the springsin position. The `breech block andthe gripping members are reciprocated suiciently to load cartridges into the barrels and to eject the emp shells therefrom.

The links 22) connecting the roc levers (23) to the breech blocks (2o) are bored longitudinally 'at their front ends and mortised transversely at th ir center to receive striking hammers- (42) and helical compression springs (43)" for operating the same. The hammers (42) pass throu the forward end of the said links and reech blocks (20), and are adapted to strike iii-'ing pins (44), one of which is fitted to the rear of each of the segmental shaped gripping members (36). The said firine pins (44) are carried on the ends of curv sprin (45) of flat which tend to keep e said' bers.

said springs being easily and quickly removed and replaced, 4when desired. The holes in the front of the breech blocks through which the striking pins-(42) pass, are slight-ly elongated to provide for perfect freedom of movement of said pins when the links (22) are operated.

The front faces of the breech blocks (20) are formed with l semi-circularly shaped' groovesto permit of the firing pins (44) and springs moving freely thereacross. The breech blocks (20) are furnished with projectingportions (51), which are adapted to slide in the guide-ways (201) formed on the vertical plate (3), and abutment blocks 52) I are formed at the inner ends of the said guide-ways to limit the forward movement of the breech blocks.' pin (53) passes through or studs are formed eccentrically on the sides of the front end of the rockin levers (23) and pivotally connected to t e projecting ends of said pin or studs are the rear ends of coupling plates (54), which lie on both sides of the links (22) connecting the said levers to the breech blocks. The fore ends of the side plates (54) are slotted at (55)v to engage studs (56) projecting laterally vfrom the sides of the striking hammers. An opening (57) is cut from the lower parts of the slots (55) to Iper- 4mit of 'the plates (54) being disengaged from the studs (5.6) when it is desired to remove ythefhammers or springs actuating the same. The coupling plates (54) are formed with upwardly projecting.v lugs (58), through which screws or pins (59) can be passed to keep them at correct distances apart:

`Sears (60)v project downwardly from bell-v `crank levers (61), and are adapted to engage with detents (62) formed in the top of the striking. hammers. The said levers (61) are pivoted at one end to pins (63) passing through the forward parts of the links (22), while their opposite ends are bent inwardly and furnished with screws (64) lor other adjustable devices adapted to bear upon a reare kept. bearing upon the hammers or strikingpins (42) by means of springs (65) of approved form, and the releasing device comprises levers 66) pivotally mounted on the top of the vertical plate (3). :The evers (6 6) are disposed one on eaehslde the The sears (60), normally;

plate (3), and their lower ends are bent out. wardly to lie in the paths of the screws (64) when the upper ends of said levers are pulled backwardly. One of the said levers (66) projects upwardlyy through the top of covers 67) fitted detachably over the breech mechanism, while the second lever (66) is shortened and formed on its upper end with two detents l(68) designed to receive the end of a--spring (69) fitted to a pin (70) on the plate (3). 'The detents (68) and spring (69) are adapted to hold the levers (66) in their opel'ative and inoperative position, and to insure both. levers operating uniformly they are both fitted rigidly to a pin (71) passing through the plate (3).

)Vhen the operating handle (33) turned the rotary movement imparted to the toothed pinions (28) causes the pins (26) tilted eccentrically on the arms (27) to impart motion `to the rocking levers (23), which in turn cause the breech blocks (20) to reciprocate on the rods (21)A and in the guide-ways (201). T he rocking levers (23)v and the links (22) connected to the rear of slightly below the horizontal at their pivot.

extreme 'forward positions, and the rear ends of the said links rest uponstout abutment blocks 72) formed on or fitted to the sides of the.- vertical plate (3). When'the breech blocks(20) are moving rearwardly, the connected endsof the levers (23) and links (22) move upwardly in the form of toggles, andv the movements of the side plates (54) compress the springs (43) of the hammers or striking pins (42) and places the detents (62) formed therein in position to be engaged by the sears (60). The togglelike movement of the rocking levers tial extraction and also forces the cartridges firmly into the chambers of the barrels.

A small arm (73) depends from each of the links and these arms are adapted to strike against the sides of projections (74) on (or recesses in) the rear ends of. and to partially rotate the bolts (35) when the'links are moving downwardly to their horizontal positions. The partial rotation of the said bolts (35) causes the outer sectional gripping members (36) to engage the rims of cartridges (12) (see Fig. 3) in the magazines (9) and the inner gripping members to hold the rims' of cartridges fed to the barrels. As the links are moving to theirv horizontal positions the screws (64) come l into contact with the inwardly turned portions on the lower endsl of the levers (66)` and the further downward movement of the links causes the hammers to be moved away l from the sears (60) directly the breech blocks 20) are in their locked positions.

f The hammers or firing pins can be the breech blocks (20) are horizontal orv points when the breech blocks are in their and links eii'ects an easy and powerful inifleased a little early or a little late by adf mental shaped cartridge gripping members justing the positions ofthe screws (64) and should it be required to operate the gun without actuating the hammers the upper ends of the levers (66) can be pressed forwardly to move the -lower ends thereof out of the path of the screws (64) tted to the levers (61), so. that the sears 60 will not be tripped.

. The bolts (35) and consequently the segare' retained in position and prevented from moving accidentally by springs (741-) fitted to the top of the bosses (3a) and having downwardly bent portions shaped to fit into recesses (75) formed in collars (76) on the rear parts of the bolts. rlhe rear partsof the bolts (35) can be'screwed into or they can bef otherwise ailixedtothe front parts.

An arm (77) is formed on each of the links connecting the eccentric pins (26) to the rear ends of the rocking levers (23) and the upper ends of these'arms are adapt ed to come into contact with the sides 0f lS361 'the sides thereof abut against ro s the segmental shaped gripping members and.

rotate the-'same until projections blocks cause the cartridges to be fed into thebarrels and the empty shellsto-be de livered to the ejector tubes. The partial rotation of the grippingmembers at the ex-V treme forward ends .of their travel causes.,

the inside members to move around the rims of the cartridges held thereby whilethe outer members move 'away' from the shells and engage the rims of fresh vcartridges held in the magazine.

Safety devices are provided to prevent the breech blocks being released should a cartridge hang or miss fire, and these safety devices are automatically released by the recoil each time a cartridgeis exploded in` the barrel. The safety device comprises small levers pivotally` ailixed to the sides of the plate (3) and having their lower ends forming engagements with rods (8`1)\slid ably fitted to the body, and loosely Vconnected at their front ends to rods (82) fitted rigidly A -to the rear endof the water-jacket surrounding t e barrels. -The body (1) is free to slide over lthe said rods (82), and the latter are formed with slots (83) to receive screws (811)4 orthe like' fitted to the, inner ends of the rods (81). The b'od fof thegun iscon- 'nected to ai'od' (841), the rear end of the water-jac et.'(4), and is. connected by a strong'spiral tension spring (85) to a rod (86) passing vtransversely through a forward part of the said waterjacket. As each,- cartridge is exploded -the body (1)` andbarrels 2) are thrust backwardly a short distance bythe force of the recoil, ythe movement automatically. releasv ing the safety devicesv and permitting the continued operation of the'mechanism.

^ When the empty shells are thrust. into the ejector tubes (79) they are held therein by spring pressurel until they are'forced out lby the nextjshell delivered thereto. The pressure required to hold the shells`in thetubes '(79). is obtained by vplacing -av i'lat spring (791) beneath the body in such a position that raised portions `or blocks' (792) on theends of the springs bear on the nderside of the shells.. The bottoms of the tubes l(79) 'are mortised to 'accommodate the said blocks (792), and the pressure onY` the shells is suiiiclent to prevent them being moved by the .vibration of the gun when the same is in operation. A black the rocking levers (23) in such a. position that it abuts against' or passes slightly` be- -neath the rear and lower ends ot the safety levers (80) whenthe latter are in their locking positions, and when the said safety le-v vers are in position the rocking levers cannot be operated until a cartridge is exploded. Y

' To release' the rocking levers by hand..the upper yends of the safetyy levers (80) are pulled backwardly in opposition to the pressure -of springs (88) until their lower ends are moved away -from the blocks 87) on the rocking levers and the said safety levers can (8o4 is formed@ top, of each 0f,

lor.

be retained in this position by springs (89) formed on'o fitted to the rear ends of the rods (81), which normlly press aga-inst the under faces-of the `blocks' 87, b utwhich can snap up in to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 18, whenparts 81 and 87 will be held apart. The safety levers (80) are returned Vto their' normal positions bv means of the springs (88),'and the rods (81) hav# ing a Vloose engagement with the lower endsj thereof can be Vmoved suiliciently without ,affecting the spring (85) which is employed to` return lthe body `and barrels' to their nor- ,f

mal positions` after each explosion of the cartridges. The operating mechanisms are the same'n both sides ofthe body, and the movements of the different parts andthe functions they perform are identical.

The improved gun canbe provided with any approved formof mounting th t will suit the particular position or place in hichv it vis to be used.

A simple. and eiiici'ent- 'mounting shownv in the drawings, and

' provided at its rear end with a jaw (94),

which fits over the rear end of the bell-crank (90), and is securely affixed thereto by a detachable pin or bolt (95). Fitted to the underside of said water-jacket and in advance of the jaw (94) is a hook (96), which is adapted to be inserted between two pins (97) at the fore end ofthe bell-crank (90). The bell-crank is pivotally mounted on a pin (98), which passes through the standard (91), and its lower end pivotally supports a block (99), which engages a screw (100) affixed revolubly to lugs (101) on the lower end of the standard. The screw u( 100) is prevented' from moving endwise by nuts (102) on the end thereof, and a hand wheel (103) or other approved means can be provided to operate the said screw. WVhen the hand wheel is operated the screw causes the bell-crank, and consequently the gun, to be moved more or less from the horizont-al, thereby permitting a desired elevation or depression to be obtained easily. The standard (9 1) canbe retained ixedly in position on the base (92) by tightening up a screw (101), but when in use"the said screw is slackened to permit ofthe gun barrels being moved in any direction required.

Any suitable form of sighting appliances (not illustrated) can be aflixed to the gun to insure accuracy of aim.

In order to .permit of either of the mechanisms being operated independently ofthe other, the wheels (30) are provided with spring actuated l'pa-wls (105), which are l adapted to be engaged by a recess '(106) formed 'approxlmately in the center of the spindle (321). When the spindle (321) is in its normal position, the pawls -'(105,) in

both wheels (30) are in engagementwith the `als recess (106) in the s indle, and the rotation `of the handle 33) will cause both mechanisms to be operated continuously and in opposite directions. 4The ends-of the recess (106) and the edges of the pawls (105) preferably are tapered, and by pulling the spindle (321) outwardly or pushing it inwardly until only one pawl (105) is engaged by the said slot, then the mechanism -on that particular side of the un only will be operated. AThe spindle 321) can be passed through the body from both sides,

'Spanner or tool.

and should one of the. operating mechanisms' `ance on the outside of the cover on the right hand side of the body. The said indicating contrivance' consists of an arrow (107) cut into or pointer formed on the cover radially with the operating spindle (321), and a marked collar (108) on an adjacent part of the said spindle. In the gun shown in the drawings four indicating marks (109) are 'made on the said collar corresponding to the number of shots fired at each revolution of the spindle. As each shot is fired, the marks (109) on the collar are brought successively opposite the pointer or arrow (107), and as the cartridges are the said marks serve to indicate on which side the mechanism has failed to act. This indicating contrivance is exceedingly convenient in enabling the operator toreadily determine the particular mechanism that is out of action, so that he is enabled to remove the right cover to get at it to remedy the fault without loss of time.' A The studs (24) upon which the rocking .levers (23) are mounted can be made adjustable so as to permit of them being moved forwardly to compensate for wear of the pivot parts of said `levers and of the links (22). The adjustment of the said studs may be necessary to insure the cartridges being thrust firmly and correctly intothe chambers of the barrels. In order to permit of the adjustment 4of the studs (24) being effected they can be formed with lugs (110) on their inner ends, and arranged to project upwardly and downwardly therefrom. rI`he top lugs are pivotally mounted on a pin (111), while the bottom lugs are slotted to accommodate screw pins (112), which can be operated by a box Spanner vor the like throughholes inthe covers (67).' Thrust screws (113) are mounted in blocks or lugs (114) formed on the plate (3) at the rear of the studs (24:), and by operating said screws the studs can be forced forwardly a requiredI amount to compensate forthe wear ofthe parts. When the studs have been moved to their required posit-ions, the screws (112) are tightened to retain them in their set positions. The thrust screws (113), like the tightening screws (112) canbe operated through holes in the covers rand by the same When the water or other cooling medium in the watenjaeket (4) becomes heated with rapid firing through the gun barrels, the steam resulting therefrom can escape through tubes (115), extending along the top and inside of said jacket to an discharged alternately through both barrels,

outlet' tube ,(116); A.The cubes (115)' have their outer ends. openinginto the ends of A valveseat thewater 'jacket. v(4) and 'their inn'er ends preferably are att'ened and entera circular valve seat (117), having closed ends and mounted jon aconicfal sheet metal support (118). The said-support is connected to the $117), and to thel water-jacket (4) in such A.way that the water in the-lastmentioned cannot escape. The bottom' of the water-jacket atthebase of the support is V'cut away to 'permit' loff accessY being had to .the weighted *end ofthe outlet tube (116), depending fromY a three-way cock or valve (119) accommodated by the-seat. The valve has a free movement-inthe seat, and the weightedtube acts asa-pendulum toauto- Vmatlcally cut'oif the lowermost tube` (115) when the barrels are' elevated or depressed while leavingthe uppermost tubelin communicationwith the depending tube to perof the escape of steam or vapor from the )h ighermost.; end Vof the water-jacket.

firing this plug is removed to permit of the The lower end of the said tube (116) is normally'closed' by' a stopper (120) or the like, but whenthe gun is to be vused :for rapid escape of steamf asbefore described. To

insurel the valve- (119) operating perfectly that portion of it which above the hori zontal passage cut away, a's shown in the' drawings.' The front ends-of the rods (21f) areiormed with recesses (121) on their underside to provide room for.V the passage of' f connection roclng lever and an eccentric operated .fby'g-aY revoluble in g dle and toothed a bolt revolubly mounted on=thejs1dejo 'said breech-block, two segmental V"shaped Lcartridge-gripping lease the closed.

members on the. front of said bolt, firing .pins

fitted to springson the rear'of'said members a asking -hammer thriving "a recess in the top thereon-andY an operatmgs ring inthe link fconnecting: said breech #b ock tosaid rocking Iever, `a.spr1ngr:ctuated bell-crankhaving a fsear. depen Y g `thclerefroi'n and adapted to engage 'said recess, anda member on said bell-crank `adapted to contact with an abutmentipiece'fontlie said bod toresearfyvhen thesaid breechlock is 2. Aquick-iring inachine lever, and an a Vof said screw.

A lower "farm, a tig Y g A Y Y comprisin".A through said slot, ablock or nut on the body, a stout-bodyhavingsajbarrel ttedY to Vthe front thereof, a sli breech-blockconnectsaid lever to aneccentric, a bolt revolubly mounted on said breech-blocl'x, oppositely disposed segmental shaped gripping members Non said bolt, an abutmentmember on the first-mentioned link, adapted to con-tact with projections on said bolt, andpartalljv rotate the same when' in its forward position, an arm on the second-mentioned link adapted to abut against/and partially rotate the segmental gripping members w en thc same areit the rear-of their travel, and a spring normally holding the said bolt,in'positio 3. In a'quck-iring machine. gun, a slidin breech-block having a llink connection Wit 1 aA rocking lever, a strikin hammer passing through and reciprocating y mounted in said link and in said breech-block, a springacting on said hammer, links pivotally mounted on studs projecting Vfrom said `rocking lever in advance of .the pivot connection V4f. In a quick-firing machine gun, a sliding breech-block having a link connection with a rocking lever, a strikin hammer reciprocatingly mounted in said link and breechblock and' having a recess in the top thereof, a springacting on said hammer, a lever pivoted to said link, an'd having a depending sear for engagin said recess,`a'\spring ,with the link, and slots in said links engag- -ing studs on said. hammer.

acting on said ivote lever, al screw on said utment member in the path 5. In a' quick-firing machine gun, the: combination of a bodyV having a barrel .fitted thereto, and a breech-block reciprocatingly mounted onsaid (body, a link connecting 'said breech-block to the forward end of a rocking lever, a link connecting the rear end -of said lever to an eccentric revolubly mounted on the body, a projection on said lever in advance of-the pivot point thereof, a sec-` ond lever pivoted to the bod Sand adapted to bear on said projection w en the breech- 'block is closeda connection between said.

second' lever an the rear end of a rod, the

frontend of which is loosely Vconnected toA i n thegunmounting, a spring fitted to and projecting rearwardly from said rod,y and a g for exerting a rearward pressure on the lower endv of the lever.

'- '6. In a quick-firing machine gun, a-bodyf` fitted with aslidin, breech-block, a connecting. said breech-block to a rocking lever mounted o n` an adjustable'stud, saidstud ilo having an upwardly and a downwardly. prof jecting arm at its base,"a pivot pin p ing. through said upper arm, a. slot in tening screw passing tric mounted on a pinion, link connections from said rocking lever to said breech-block and to said eccentric, a toothed vWheel engaging lsaid pinion, a sprin actuated pawl in and: a spindle passin t rough said Wheel, a recess in said spind e engaging said pawl,

` and an operating handle on said'spindle.

8.*In a quick-firing machine gun, a body having a barrel fitted thereto, a water-jacket surrounding said barrel, a boss on the `side of said water-jacket, a spindle in-'said boss, a spring acting on said spindle, an arm hingedly connected to the outer end of said spindle, and a retaining block on the outer end of said boss.

9. A quick firing machine gun, comprising a stout body having a barrel fitted to the -front thereof, a` sliding breech-block con- -nected by a link tothe forward end of a rocking lever, a link connecting the rear end of said lever to an eccentric, a bolt revolubly mounted on said breech-block, oppositely disposed segmental shaped gripping member-vs on said bolt, an abut-ment member l on the iirst mentioned link adapted to conto receive the butt ends of cartridges projecting 'radially from said magazine.

. l0. Ina ,quick-firing machine gun, a body resiliently connected to its mounting and adapted to recoil on the discharge of a cartridge, a safety catch released by said recoil, and comprising a lever pivoted to the body, and having its lower end engaging a rod loosely connected to the gun mounting, a spring exerting a rearward pressure on the lower end of said lever, an operatable eXtension on said lever, ablock or projection on the breech mechanisms' engaged by the lever until the discharge of a cartridge, and a spring on said rod for retaining the safety catch in its inoperative position when a cartridge has been s o discharged.

11.Y In a quick tirin machine gun, a slid-r ably mounted breech-v lock, cartridge gripping members fitted to said breech-block and arranged to oscillate about an axis parallel to 'the movement of the block proper, said members having. their edges cut away to form actuating surfaces, link mechanism for reciprocating said block, and an arm carried'by said mechanism and adapted to contact with said surfaces for oscillatingfsaii members.

In testimony whereof I alix my signature in presence of tvvo Witnesses. Y

moms FREDERICK CALDWELL.

l `Witnessesz G. MCNAMARA, W, A. AsH'IoN. 

